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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Cunt Vs. Nigger

It is a wonderful parody on why news agencies have not aggressively covered an incident in 1992, when John McCain allegedly referred to his wife as a cunt. Yes, the dirty C word. In most cases the uttering of such a word is worthy of a swift kick at the very least. The part of this video I wish to call to your attention too begins at 1:00 in and ends at 1:08.

Anonymous Black woman: John McCain called his wife the worst word there is.

Anonymous Black Man: What, She's not even black

Anonymous White Man: No cunt, John Mccain called his wife a cunt

Anonymous Black Man: No way

While this video takes a jab at John MCcain, if you are listening closely you can see a problem that is just as large, that is skipped over as meaningless commentary. Clearly the word that the anonymous black male had in mind was nigger. Even though he was told that the conversation was about a white woman, his first thought was nigger. I think that this is a very revealing look at the black male psyche. In their mind the only oppression that is real, is related to race. Gender very seldom factors into the equation, and this is a problem. The key here is that, while a black male is usually oppressed due to race or class, they still operate with a form of male privilege. What frustrates them is the inability to act on their privilege akin to white males.

While all POC must negotiate racism, it is only women that must negotiate sexism. Even though black men represent an oppressed group within society, they are still intent on creating a patriarchal power structure that mirrors the one currently run by white males. It is seen as hyper masculine for a man to privilege male concerns over female. We are after all just whining, over sensitive women. Though the male in the video was ready to jump on ball with the critique of John McCains language, it is nevertheless telling that his first thought was not gender, but race.

For WOC this is not a case of competing oppressions. Our color does not in any way cause more oppression than our gender. In fact the two combine to create a unique kind of social stigmatization that is specific only to us. According to bell hooks, the black woman has no institutionalized other, and I firmly agree with this statement. While black men may claim to be our allies, we must question this assertion. Until gender becomes a priority in the decolonization struggle of people of color, WOC must recuse ourselves on the grounds that this movement does not speak to all of our issues. Newsflash the word cunt gets thrown at black women too, and it is equally demeaning as the word nigger.

I only censor for extreme racism, misogyny, abelism, or homophobia. Idiocy needs no censorship. I will respond later. Have a great day!

I submitted a post here, and you failed to post it. The post did not display racism, misogyny, abelism or homophobia. You could argue it was idiotic, but if so, it falls under your "idiocy" safe harbor.

Since Womanist Musings has started I have only denied two comments and yours was one of them. I determine what is racist, and to me that commentary fit the bill. Don't worry when I get around to publishing hate mail of the week your commentary might yet see the light of day, though you may not like what I choose to do with it.....

Hey Anonymous...my blog my rules, don't like it go and huddle with your women hating buddies....How can I even take you seriously when you cannot even come up with a good fake name....I fully understood your intended satire and I deemed it to be racist and unreasonably offensive. The only reason you used the KKK analogy in the first place is because I am black, and you will not use my blog to race bait. You may be used to bullying women by throwing your little fits and playing the name calling game, but unfortunately for you angry twisted womanist that I am, I will not bow to your demands. Now run back to your little play ground and complain to all of your fellow twits how you feel emasculated. Boo Hooo poor woman hater cannot bully me into getting his own way.

You don't see that because you apparently believe that women can't be sexist and poc can't be racist.

You discuss my post but you won't publish it.

You make it clear by your actions that my post isn't racist but that you are worried that it might be seen as biting satire.

You accuse me of race baiting? Your entire post is race baiting.

You emasculated me? You amuse me, and sadden me, but emasculate me? I don't think so.

I can't make up a fake name and that's somehow an affront to you? Jebus. As they say, it's your blog, your rules. YOU ARE THE PERSON THAT DECIDED TO LET "ANONYMOUS" BE AN OPTION. Now that you made your choice, you refuse to take responsibility for that. Typical modern radical feminist crapola. I played by your rules, and now you want to play Calvinball.

Post the comment, let the chips fall where they may. Show you have the balls you claim you do.

I'm racist? Your entire post is racist. Your entire post is sexist.And when your opinion matters, I'll let you know. Your commentary was racist and that is all there is to it. If you are able to make the same point without the racist analogy I will publish it.

YOU ARE THE PERSON THAT DECIDED TO LET "ANONYMOUS" BE AN OPTION. Now that you made your choice, you refuse to take responsibility for that.

I continue to allow you to post anonymously. I am just saying that I don't take you seriously. Why should I you don't have the courage to put a name to your words. I don't hide. I use my real first name.

Show you have the balls you claim you do.

speaking of sexist language because of course courage only happens when someone has balls. Beg, whine, plead the answer is still going to be no. Womanist Musings will not be used as a platform to promote racism. This is the last time that I will address this issue with you.

All those who are victims of oppression need to realize that they should be uniting and fighting oppression in general, not specific kinds of oppression. The enemy is oppression itself, not whites or men. Until they realize it, oppression will never be defeated.

Interesting theory, but that's akin to saying an inanimate object can take a course of action. People take actions to cause oppression. People need to be held accountable for participating in and tacitly approving of oppression. If you are not actively opposing it you are benefitting from it and denying it. That is unacceptable.

Intense Debate Comments

About Me

I am the mother of two darling little boys that fill my life with hope. They have inspired me to help raise awareness of the issues that plague this little blue planet.
If you are looking for a blog that is all about how wonderful and rosy this world is, turn right because this space will not be for you. I am a committed humanist. I believe in the value of people over commodities. I believe in the human right to food, clothing, shelter, and education. I am pacifist, anti-racist, WOC. My truth may not be your truth, but I intend to speak it nonetheless.
Please feel free to direct questions or commentary womanistmusings@gmail.com